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People People.

The numbers matter because of the people whose businesses and lives they affect.

Resources

In the last seven months, the 2016 presidential election results brought optimism to many closely-held business owners who foresaw the promise of lower taxes from the new administration. However, that optimism is turning into impatience as the government’s summer recess looms.

When you hear the term forensic accounting, images of perpetrators in handcuffs and espionage may come to mind. In reality, it’s not always a CSI moment. Forensic accounting is not only important when taking steps to prevent crime, it’s also vital among day-to-day operations and decision-making within your business.

Both the City of Chicago and Cook County have enacted new sick leave ordinances which require employers to provide employees with up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year. The two ordinances mirror each other with the primary difference being the geographic area covered by the laws.

Effective July 1, 2017, certain locations in Illinois will be changing their local sales tax rates. As a result, computer systems, cash registers and other systems used to compute sales tax should be updated to accommodate these changes. Please be sure to review the list to see if your location will be affected.

It doesn’t quite seem possible that we are nearly halfway through 2017! We are often so busy during the summer months that the last thing we are thinking about is taxes. However, the midpoint of the year is a great time to assess your tax situation as you still have plenty of time to adjust and review your planning for a positive impact. Here are five timely tax moves that you should consider now.

The IRS is now using outside collection agencies to collect unpaid tax obligations. This could create an opportunity for collection agency scams with thieves masquerading as IRS-endorsed suppliers. How do you know if a collection effort is real or a scam?

Struggling to find and retain tradespeople? Deciding when the timing is right to replace that 30-year-old machine? Noticing that your technology systems are slowing you down rather than making you more efficient? You’re not alone. Our 2017 manufacturing outlook addresses the biggest issues facing manufacturers this year and offers perspective from a firm that’s been working with numerous manufacturing companies for 45 years.

Today, many headlines for hiring and retention articles reference “workplace culture”. As competition across all industry sectors is on the rise, companies are realizing that workplace culture plays a significant, although often undetected, role in the success of their business. However, it’s often overlooked as day-to-day operating needs take precedence over building a strong workplace environment. Yet, strengthening workplace culture is not as overwhelming as it may seem. Be sure your company benefits from ways your accounting firm can add value to your company culture.

If you hold foreign assets or have signature authority over foreign assets such as bank accounts, stocks, bonds, retirement plans, or sometimes real estate, you may need to report this information to the IRS. The consequences for not reporting are costly, so be sure to take note of deadlines, which have changed since last year, and allow time to prepare.